Previous statements in this Journal have fully proved: 1st. That the extract from the records of the School Committee of Newburyport was published in an altered and perverted form in the interest of Guyot's Geographies. 2d. That a few copies of Warren's New Edition were in use in Newburyport, at the time of the change, creating a lack of uniformity in classes, and leading to the adoption of Guyot's, when new books were offered in even exchange for old books of Warren's. 3d. That Warren's New Geographies have superseded Guyot's in many places where the merits of the latter have been fully tested. (See the list of towns which might now be much extended, published in our advertisement in Massachusetts Teacher of July last.) The reasons given by the agent of Guyot (in his "Rejoinder") for his persistent and acrimonious attacks on Warren's Geographies, are: 1st. That a criticism, or, as he styles it, an anonymous attack upon Guyot's Geographies was circulated in the interest of Warren's. Criticisms are usually anonymous, and the circulation of this one was no more in the interest of Warren's than of any other competing series. In fact, Guyot's was benefited most of all; for these books were soon revised and greatly improved in consequence of its suggestions. 2d. That a statement of the Boston Masters has been used in the interest of Warren's Geographies, "disregardless (sic) of their wishes or reputation ! " The following is the statement referred to. BOSTON, June 14, 1867. To the Board of Education of the City of Boston: GENTLEMEN:-The undersigned, Masters and Sub-Masters of the Public Schools of the City of Boston, respectfully represent that for some months past we have had the subject of a change of Geographies brought to our notice; that we have given the matter attention, and have carefully examined Guyot's System, the one proposed to be substituted for Warren's; but we are of the opinion that a change of Geographies would be disadvantageous to the interests of the schools, as the Guyot System is no improvement on Warren's System, while in many respects it is inferior; and we hope no change in these books will be ordered. As this has never been published without the date, it could not be misunderstood by any one 66 intelligent enough to read." Besides, it is claimed that the system of Guyot has not been changed in the later books. The opinions of the Boston masters have, however, been given to the same effect, in comparing Guyot's Intermediate with Warren's. In July 1868, a vigorous effort was made to introduce Guyôt's later books into the Boston Schools, and it was asserted that they were free from the objectionable features found in the first books. A circular was addressed by a member of the Text-Book Committee to each of the Boston Masters, asking their opinion comparing GUYOT'S INTERMEDIATE and PRIMARY with WARREN'S COMMON SCHOOL and PRIMARY. In response to that inquiry, there were eighteen (18) who answered decidedly in favor of Warren's, and one (1) who answered as decidedly in favor of Guyot's. It is true that we at first included Newburyport in our list of cities, using Warren's New Edition; but it was done upon information which we deemed reliable. Had we not been misinformed, we should have taken measures to introduce our new edition uniformly, and thus have removed all reason for the introduction of Guyot. We have in our possession circulars giving a list of towns in which Guyot's Books are claimed to be in use, which were distributed months after those books had been superseded in several of the towns mentioned. It is frequently impossible to prevent discrepancies of that kind. We are sorry to have been drawn into this discussion, and do not purpose to continue it further, unless it becomes absolutely necessary. Teachers and School Officers who are interested in securing the best Geographies for their Schools are invited to compare the books and judge for themselves. Sample copies will be furnished for that purpose, free of expense, on application to DEXTER S. STONE, General Agent for Warren's Geographies, 37 & 39 BRATTLE STREET, BOSTON. BREWER & TILESTON, 131 Washington Street, Boston, Walton & Cogswell's Arithmetical Charts, FOR ORAL PRACTICE IN SIMPLE NUMBERS. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1869, by G. A. WALTON & FRANCIS COGSWELL, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. The Charts are four in number, but form only two tablets, one Chart being printed on each side of a tablet. The tablets are 3 feet by 2 feet 4 inches, and the figures are of sufficient size to be distinctly seen across any school-room. These Charts should have a place upon the walls of every Primary schoolroom, and upon those of the lower grades of Grammar schools. They afford the means of reviewing and drilling, upon all the elements, any combinations of numbers, with great economy of time to the pupil, and of labor to the teacher. 1. Commence at any letter and add towards the right or towards the left till the 2. Let the teacher mention some number and the pupil add to it the numbers of Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1869, by G. A. WALTON & FRANCIS COGSWELL, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. Chart No. 3, represented below, contains the first half of the Division Table. Chart No 4 is not represented, but is similar in arrangement to No. 3, and contains the other part of the same table. No. 3 is printed on one tablet, No. 4 on the other, that the whole of the Division Table may be seen at once. 1. To review a single table, as the table of 2's, divide each number expressed in 2. To review all the tables, divide each number expressed in any COLUMN, as 3. To review when remainders occur, divide G by each of the numbers from 4 to Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1869, by G. A. WALTON & FRANCIS COGSWELL, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. |